Necrotic Lesion Host for Potato Virus Y Useful in Field Epidemiological Studies. R. P. Singh, Research Scientist, Agriculture Canada Research Station, P.O. Box 20280, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 4Z7. G. Boiteau, Research Scientist, Agriculture Canada Research Station, P.O. Box 20280, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 4Z7. Plant Dis. 68:779-781. Accepted for publication 2 March 1984. Copyright 1984 Department of Agriculture, Government of Canada. DOI: 10.1094/PD-68-779.

The potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivar Jemseg developed necrotic lesions when inoculated with potato virus Y (PVY). Lesions were produced by both aphid and mechanical inoculation in the field and in the greenhouse. Lesion production was not affected by the presence of potato viruses A, S, or X or potato spindle tuber viroid. The potato-infesting aphids Aphis nasturtii and Myzus persicae transmitted PVY to Jemseg plants, but the virus was not transmitted to Jemseg by Aulacorthum solani or Macrosiphum euphorbiae. The transmission of PVY by aphids to Jemseg was similar to that obtained on Russet Burbank potato or Solanum demissum plants but differed from that on tobacco plants. In view of this difference, Jemseg may be a more useful “bait” plant than tobacco for field epidemiological studies.